La Verna

La Verna

La Verna is an isolated summit in Tuscany’s Apennine mountain range. Located 50 miles east of Florence, it takes travelers through dense forests, along narrow winding roads, and past awe inspiring vistas. In the thirteenth century during the time of Francis of Assisi, the place was even more difficult to reach.

Count Orlando of Chiusi to whom La Verna had belonged gave Francis of Assisi the mountain as a gift in the year 1213. He stipulated that Francis and his brothers should use the mountain as a place for prayer and contemplation. In 1218, Count Orlando even built the Chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli to assist the brothers in their spiritual journey.

Most people know La Verna as the place where Francis received his stigmata. In August, 1224 – just over two years before his death – Francis arrived at La Verna for 40 days of fasting before the Feast of St. Michael. At around September 14, through the intensity of his prayer and faith, the Lord granted him the stigmata.

La Verna, Tuscany, Italy

When news spread that Francis of Assisi had received the stigmata on La Verna, the mountain became a place of pilgrimage. Not long after 1260, Count Simone of Battifole paid for the building of a chapel near the spot where Francis’ stigmata miracle happened. By 1459, the Chiesa Maggiore had also been erected on top of La Verna.

Views from La Verna

Today the Municipality of Florence is La Verna’s owner. Yet, the Franciscans take care of the sacred place much the same way as they did after Count Orlando had given it to them so many centuries ago.